Material choice significantly impacts pricing because different materials have vastly different costs, print times, and complexity.
Why Material Affects Price:1. Raw Material Cost
PLA: $20-30/kg (most economical)
PETG/ABS: $30-50/kg
Nylon: $60-80/kg
Specialty materials (carbon fiber, high-temp): $80-150+/kg
Resins: $150-400+/liter depending on properties
2. Print Speed & Machine Time
PLA: Fast printing, minimal issues
ABS/Nylon: Slower speeds, requires heated chamber (limits machine availability)
Engineering materials: May require lower speeds for quality
Longer print time = higher labor and machine costs
3. Success Rate & Waste
Easy materials (PLA, PETG): 95%+ success rate
Difficult materials (Nylon, specialty resins): Higher failure rate = material waste and reprints factored into pricing
4. Post-Processing Requirements
- Some materials require:
5. Machine Wear & Maintenance
Abrasive materials (carbon fiber, glass-filled) wear nozzles faster
This maintenance cost is built into pricing
Example Price Difference:
Same part in PLA: $50
Same part in Nylon: $120 (2.4x more)
Same part in Carbon Fiber Nylon: $180 (3.6x more)
Cost-Saving Tip: If your application allows flexibility, ask our team to recommend the most cost-effective material that meets your requirements. Sometimes a less expensive material performs just as well.
👉 Not sure which material is right for your budget and application? Submit the intake form and we'll recommend options.
🔗 Submit Intake Form
🔗 Materials Hub
Learn more on our website:
Instant Quote — upload your file for real-time pricing
Pricing Guide — cost breakdown by technology and material
Talk to an Expert — questions about your specific project